Fire Extinguisher Training
The Basics of Firefighting

Fires a very destructive and unpredictable force, but a little foresight and preparation can help prevent it from growing to uncontrollable proportions. Keep these basics in mind, and you will be able to handle these fires even before they get become uncontrollable.

Know the fire hazards

A few Fire extinguisher signs may direct you to where an extinguisher is, but that will not help you if your fire extinguisher does not do its job properly.

Common fire hazards include but are not limited to leaking gas pipes, corroded heating systems, overloaded electrical outlets, pressurized canisters and even simple matchsticks. While handling these fire hazards is the first step to preventing a fire from occurring in the first place, anticipating a possible source of fire will help you prepare the right fire extinguisher to use.

Know the fire extinguisher types

Once you are familiar with the hazards before you, the next step would be to obtain the right extinguisher to suit your needs.

Fire extinguishers are divided into three general types. Type A deals with fires stemming from flammable materials like wood and paper. Type B deals with flammable liquids and gases, like gasoline or oil fires. Type C handles fires from electrical sources.

Common extinguishers usually focus on one or two of these types, but there are models that handle all three at once. Look around you and see where fires are most likely to come from. Once you do that, you will be able to determine which extinguisher type will suit your needs.

Type D extinguishers, the fourth type, are designed to handle combustible metals. These kinds of fires are a threat mostly to industrial and laboratory settings, and do not occur in the common household.

Know how to operate the extinguisher An extinguisher is not like a fire hose that lays down a barrage of water at the fire. You need to learn how to operate an extinguisher if you want it to work for you.

Most extinguishers come with written instructions on how to use them, but the adrenaline rush of the moment may make you or others careless in handling them. And you cannot exactly take five to carefully read them while a fire is quickly growing uncontrollable.

While a practice run in using a fire extinguisher is ideal, such a measure for fire extinguisher training is rather expensive. Just remember to pull the pin first, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, and squeeze the lever in short, sweeping bursts. Note these instructions at all times, and you will be able to handle any fiery situation with a cool and level head.

There is one last thing to keep in mind. A good extinguisher is designed to be stored for years on end while still being capable of handling a fire off the bat. So remember to use reliable fire extinguisher models, like a Kidde fire extinguisher, if you want your extinguisher to work just when you need it the most.

Remember, cheap but unreliable extinguishers may just cost you your life in the long run. Buy a quality extinguisher, and you can expect it to work for you when you should a fire actually break out.